CHILDREN
Durkin Calls on DCFS Director to Resign. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin called on DCFS Director Marc Smith to resign after it was recently revealed that he had been held in contempt for a ninth time for failing to protect Illinois’ children in care.

“Unfortunately, contempt of court orders against DCFS have become business as usual for the Pritzker administration. Governor Pritzker clearly isn’t bothered by a ninth contempt of court charge against DCFS Director Marc Smith and has done nothing about it – that is simply unacceptable. The Governor has had three and a half years to get this agency under control – he owns this ongoing tragedy. Since the Governor has failed to take action, I call on Director Smith to resign for the good of the children in this state who depend on DCFS.

BUDGET
CGFA March revenue summary released. The March 2022 revenue report, compiled by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, continued to show revenues buoyed by one-time tax intake factors. Personal income tax payments in March 2022 were $3,147 million, up more than $600 million from the pandemic-squashed income tax payment cash flow of March 2021. Corporate income tax payments rose year-over-year by $180 million in March 2022, and sales tax revenues rose $106 million. These three cash flows made up by far the largest share of an overall general funds cash increase of $994 million during this 31-day period. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
After an all-nighter, General Assembly adjourns spring session. The Illinois House and Senate held its final week of the scheduled 2022 spring session, and then adjourned in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 9. The General Assembly could come back prior to May 31, 2022, the constitutional adjournment date, in case of unusual circumstances or emergency.

FY 2023 State Budget 

Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer and Republican Floor Leader Mark Batinick offered the following comments on Governor Pritzker’s federally-funded budget that ignores the financial pressures in Illinois’ immediate future.

Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer:

“A year and a half ago, Gov. Pritzker was threatening Illinois voters with draconian cuts or across-the-board tax increases unless they approved his $3.4 billion tax increase amendment. But voters said no.

BUDGET

As Democrats continue budget talks, Republicans say millions of their constituents are being snubbed. As Democrats continue negotiating how to spend taxpayer dollars for the coming fiscal year, Republicans say millions of their constituents across Illinois are being snubbed.

Spring session of the Illinois Legislature ends April 8. It’s expected a plan to spend taxpayer dollars for the fiscal year that starts July 1 will be approved before then.